The EBU has announced that its junior middleweight champion Abass Baraou, 16-1 (9 KOs) will make a mandatory defense of the title against Frenchman Milan Prat, 25-1 (19 KOs), on February 11 in Grenoble, France, on a EuroProm promotion.
Baraou, promoted by Wasserman Sports, won the title by beating Sam Eggington and in his last fight, on June 14 of last year, he outscored Macaulay McGowan. He’s since been installed as the No. 1 contender by the WBA.
Prat suffered what looked like a devastating defeat to German Slawa Spomer in 2023 but has since bounced back with five wins, four of them inside the distance.
Baraou vs Prat has been in the offing over the last few years but always fallen through – and it is now a high-risk fight for both. Which makes one wonder if Baraou, in particular, will go ahead with the contest.
Charlie Edwards has, as expected, relinquished the EBU bantamweight title and the battle for the vacant strap an all Italian affair as Vincenzo Picardi takes on Cristian Zara.
Date and site will be announced with Mario Loreni’s Promoboxe still as the promoter.
This will be the third meeting between Picardi and Zara. First time around it was for the Italian title, the second time the EBU Silver belt was at stake – with Picardi winning both fights.
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